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Heisman watch: New Big Ten RB joins the fray

By Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer -
2 years ago

For a second Saturday in a row, the Big Ten’s top Heisman contenders will square off. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez will lead his Cornhuskers into Ohio State to face Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller in arguably the biggest game to date in the Big Ten this season. The winning signal-caller figures to assume the throne of “top Big Ten Heisman contender.”

Miller also shows up in some Heisman straw polls as a top contender for the award, along with West Virginia’s Geno Smith, Oregon’s DeAnthony Thomas, Kansas State’s Collin Klein, USC’s Marqise Lee and Florida State’s E.J. Manuel—among others.

Last week, Miller solidified his No. 1 spot on my list with a stellar effort in a 17-16 win at Michigan State over the Spartans. In the game, the Heisman hopes of MSU running back Le’Veon Bell took a hit. He ran 17 times for 45 yards (2.6 ypc) and he led MSU with eight catches. But, it wasn’t enough for the Spartans to win or for Bell to remain in my Top 3.

Here’s a look at my top three Big Ten Heisman contenders:

1. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State. The sophomore did nothing to tarnish his candidacy. Miller connected on 16-of-23 passes for 179 yards with a touchdown and pick vs. Michigan State. And his 63-yard scoring toss to Devin Smith was a thing of beauty and clutch, as it pushed Ohio State into the lead for good in the third quarter after it had fallen behind.

Miller was his usual elusive self in running the ball, zigging, zagging and generally making the Spartans look bad when they tried to tackle him. The final damage: 23 carries for 136 yards in the 17-16 win.

Miller, who is No. 2 in the Big Ten in rushing (115.4 ypg), will have a national spotlight this Saturday when his Buckeyes play host to a hot Nebraska squad and its hot defense. Since getting rocked for 653 yards at UCLA, the Husker defense has clamped down. Nebraska has yielded 286, 210 and 295 yards, respectively, in its last three games.

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2. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska. The junior enhanced his resume by helping the Cornhuskers storm back from a 17-point deficit to claim a 30-27 triumph over visiting Wisconsin. Martinez hit 17-of-29 passes for 181 yards with two touchdowns. He also ran 13 times for a team-high 107 yards (8.2 ypc) with a touchdown in what was one of the most impressive wins by any Big Ten team this season.

Martinez, No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing efficiency, has a chance to perhaps become the top Heisman contender in the Big Ten if he can have a big game in a win at Ohio State this Saturday night vs. a Buckeye defense that is coming off a strong effort at Michigan State. Ohio State allowed the Spartans just 303 yards, with 34 coming on the ground on 22 carries.

3. Venric Mark, RB, Northwestern. Yes, quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Kain Colter have been keys to the Wildcats’ 5-0 start. But Mark has been a revelation for an offense that needed a playmaker in the backfield.

The junior is second in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (176.8 ypg). And Mark is fourth in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 107.6 yards per game and also has 13 catches for 83 yards and a score. Want more? Mark is No. 2 in the nation in punt returns with a 25.8-yard average with a touchdown and he’s 10th in the Big Ten in kickoff returns with 15.4-yard average. Find me a Big Ten player who does more? You can’t. So, don’t try. Not bad for a guy who switched from receiver to running back midway through 2011.

Mark has a chance to turn some heads playing at Penn State, a hot team that has won three in a row. The Nittany Lions are ninth in the Big Ten in defense (357.6 ypg), ranking eighth vs. the run (129.8 ypg) and seventh vs. the pass (227.8 ypg).

BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men’s basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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3 Comments

I know the Big Ten is down a little this year, but Iowa always starts slow and gets better. If Weisman keeps plowing over defensive backs running to the end-zone he might have a chance at that Heisman. Looking back to guys like Shon Green, the only guy to run for 100 yards in every game that year [2008] And Chuck Long [1985] and even Tim Dwight we had some great athletes but we didn’t Have votes. To some extent this is a popularity contest.

K. John on 10/3/2012 @ 9:59am EST Said:

Venric’s Heisman campaign will end this weekend. Look for him have more receptions than running attempts as Penn State pulls ahead during the first half and Northwestern plays catchup throughout.